Atrium
A popular design feature in larger public buildings such as institutions and malls, and seen as courtyards or smaller variants in homes or smaller office buildings. The inclusion of an atrium is primarily for giving the interior space the benefit of natural light – a privilege restricted only to the outward-facing rooms and facilities. The larger the space, the more removed it is from the peripheral windows. Of course, open courtyards are excellent for cross-ventilation and passive cooling as well – and thus are found in ancient architecture from most parts of India.
In the modern context, and in commercial, corporate or institutional establishments, the atria are often several stories high and having a glazed roof and/or large windows. They are popular in entrance foyers as well, where the volume of the building makes a powerful visual impact on the visitors and give the buildings a "feeling of space and light”. Fire control is an important aspect of contemporary atrium design as poorly designed atria could allow fire to spread rapidly to a building's upper levels.
